I have never been overly critical of Hawk, nor overly impressed.The guy shows up every Sunday and quietly does his job, he's a good employee.But yesterday he played a helluva game. I hope he continues in that mode.

I don't know if it was part of the game plan or just a product of the way the defense played as a whole. But Hawk seemed to be playing more pro-active than normal. I think Capers likes to keep AJ dialed back playing safe while letting other players go with more abandon. I think one of the best traits AJ has is his ability to do that. So often big plays result because the defenders were to aggressive and over pursue or get themselves in position where they almost block themselves out of plays. AJ never seems to do that.

That was the type of aggressive play that I remember from him in college years ago.. I didn't get to watch the game but listened to it on the radio.. but did go to the NFL.com page and watch the highlights late last night.. going to try and sit down and watch the game tonight.

I think when there's enough will and aggression, there's no shortage of talent either.

I don't know if it was part of the game plan or just a product of the way the defense played as a whole. But Hawk seemed to be playing more pro-active than normal. I think Capers likes to keep AJ dialed back playing safe while letting other players go with more abandon. I think one of the best traits AJ has is his ability to do that. So often big plays result because the defenders were to aggressive and over pursue or get themselves in position where they almost block themselves out of plays. AJ never seems to do that.

I am pleased as everyone else is with the increased production from AJ. During the game I was wishing I knew what the specific duties for all the players was and Hawk in particular. That way I would know if he is doing the same thing as before only doing it better or if he took over the role that someone else was doing in the past thus he seemed to be playing better. I assume it is a little of both.

Let's face it, when a player has outside contain he isn't going to run across the field and make the tackle. If you watch the play and one of the guy seems to be standing around you would assume he is being lazy if you don't know his responsibilities. If the runner reverses field and heads back the other direction and the guy who was seemingly standing around clocks him for a 4 yard loss, you would would be thrilled. Same guy, same play.

"Linebackers shine: In the absence of Clay Matthews and Brad Jones, defensive coordinator Dom Capers turned A.J. Hawk loose as a pass-rusher. Hawk came flat free several times on blitzes and recorded three sacks. He was credited with 10 tackles, including five for losses. He took over for Jones as the dime linebacker and defensive signal-caller. Meanwhile, Jamari Lattimore held up well in his first NFL start, playing Jones’ spot in the base and nickel packages. He made three tackles, including two for losses. Nick Perry, despite missing part of the game because of an ankle injury, had five pressures in just 21 pass-rush attempts, according to ProFootballFocus. His strip-sack of Flacco late in the second quarter was a huge momentum play before halftime. Mike Neal couldn’t match his production from the previous week against Detroit, when he had six tackles and a sack. “I thought we were really rolling there in the beginning with Nick and Mike, and A.J., I think probably played one of his best games,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. “Jamari was making plays. We had excellent push inside. It was just really a combination of everybody.”

There was another article(which unfortunately has already cycled thru), where Dom was saying usually the scheme calls for Hawk to stay assignment sure, making sure other players were lined up correct, while the more impact plays were designed to go to the OLBr's.

Looks like Dom switched things up this week with the absence of Mathews and Jones.

Enjoy the ride – It kicks and just keeps on kickin’. "Stats are for Losers"

"Linebackers shine: In the absence of Clay Matthews and Brad Jones, defensive coordinator Dom Capers turned A.J. Hawk loose as a pass-rusher. Hawk came flat free several times on blitzes and recorded three sacks. He was credited with 10 tackles, including five for losses. He took over for Jones as the dime linebacker and defensive signal-caller. Meanwhile, Jamari Lattimore held up well in his first NFL start, playing Jones’ spot in the base and nickel packages. He made three tackles, including two for losses. Nick Perry, despite missing part of the game because of an ankle injury, had five pressures in just 21 pass-rush attempts, according to ProFootballFocus. His strip-sack of Flacco late in the second quarter was a huge momentum play before halftime. Mike Neal couldn’t match his production from the previous week against Detroit, when he had six tackles and a sack. “I thought we were really rolling there in the beginning with Nick and Mike, and A.J., I think probably played one of his best games,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. “Jamari was making plays. We had excellent push inside. It was just really a combination of everybody.”

There was another article(which unfortunately has already cycled thru), where Dom was saying usually the scheme calls for Hawk to stay assignment sure, making sure other players were lined up correct, while the more impact plays were designed to go to the OLBr's.

Looks like Dom switched things up this week with the absence of Mathews and Jones.

If Dom Capers has been doing anything to limit this kind of play making ability by Hawk, then he's truly been failing. If AJ Hawk can make plays like he did yesterday, he needs to be making them, imo. Maximize your players abilities, not limit them.

I don't think that's totally the case, though, I just think Hawk (and most the defense) played a hell of a game. Hopefully that trend continues.

"Linebackers shine: In the absence of Clay Matthews and Brad Jones, defensive coordinator Dom Capers turned A.J. Hawk loose as a pass-rusher. Hawk came flat free several times on blitzes and recorded three sacks. He was credited with 10 tackles, including five for losses. He took over for Jones as the dime linebacker and defensive signal-caller. Meanwhile, Jamari Lattimore held up well in his first NFL start, playing Jones’ spot in the base and nickel packages. He made three tackles, including two for losses. Nick Perry, despite missing part of the game because of an ankle injury, had five pressures in just 21 pass-rush attempts, according to ProFootballFocus. His strip-sack of Flacco late in the second quarter was a huge momentum play before halftime. Mike Neal couldn’t match his production from the previous week against Detroit, when he had six tackles and a sack. “I thought we were really rolling there in the beginning with Nick and Mike, and A.J., I think probably played one of his best games,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. “Jamari was making plays. We had excellent push inside. It was just really a combination of everybody.”

There was another article(which unfortunately has already cycled thru), where Dom was saying usually the scheme calls for Hawk to stay assignment sure, making sure other players were lined up correct, while the more impact plays were designed to go to the OLBr's.

Looks like Dom switched things up this week with the absence of Mathews and Jones.

See if you can find that article. It could really make your case about Hawk.

If this is true, and he just hasn't been "unleashed," then maybe he'll get some shots now that he's one of the few left standing.

“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don't do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”

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